Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Bishop Lazareth dies

William Lazareth, Former ELCA Synod Bishop, Author, Professor, Dies08-018-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. William H. Lazareth, formerbishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the EvangelicalLutheran Church in America (ELCA) died of cancer Feb. 23 in BarHarbor, Maine. Lazareth, 79, had a distinguished career as acollege and seminary professor, author and leader with the ELCA,the former Lutheran Church in America (LCA) and the World Councilof Churches (WCC), Geneva.

Born in Brooklyn, Lazareth earned a bachelor's degree inhistory in 1948 from Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. In1953 he earned a master of divinity degree from the LutheranTheological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), one of eight ELCAseminaries. Lazareth earned a doctorate in doctrinal theology from Columbia University- Union Theological Seminary, New York,in 1958. Seven honorary doctorates were awarded to Lazareth. Following his ordination in 1956 in the former UnitedLutheran Church, Lazareth was a faculty member for nearly 20 years at LTSP, serving as Hagan Professor of Systematic Theologyand dean of the faculty. After he left the faculty, Lazareth became a distinguished visiting professor at LTSP. In 1976 hebecame director of the Department for Church in Society, LCA Division for Mission in North America. After serving three years as years as director of the WCCFaith and Order Secretariat, he became pastor of Holy TrinityLutheran Church, New York, where he served from 1983 to 1987. He was visiting professor, Union Theological Seminary, New York,from 1987 to 1996. From 1991 to 2002, he was co-president of theLutheran-Eastern Orthodox International Doctrinal Dialogues, Lutheran World Federation, Geneva. In 1988 Lazareth was elected bishop of the ELCA MetropolitanNew York Synod and served in that role until 1992 when he retired from active ministry. From 1996 to 2003, he was a member of the executive staff, Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, andwas a visiting professor at Princeton University before he joined the faculty at Carthage College in 2003. Lazareth authored 13 books, edited 15 books and wrote atleast 45 essays.

Lazareth is survived by Jacqueline, his wife of 53 years,daughters Karen and Victoria, and a son, Paul. For information contact:John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.orghttp://www.elca.org/newsELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog